Traverse City Record-Eagle

Archive: Thursday

July 5, 2012

Weather pushing fish to deep water

Associated Press

LANSING — The extended hot weather is pushing fish into deeper waters in both the inland lakes and the Great Lakes. Many of the rivers and streams are running low and clear with the lack of rain. Anglers should be able to wade in some areas that are usually not accessible this time of year.

Traverse City: Both the East and the West Bay have good smallmouth bass fishing. There are still some fish in the shallows but many have been caught in waters up to 15 feet deep. Lake trout were caught in 80 to 100 feet of water and limit catches were reported. Anglers are beginning to see more salmon and the action should improve in the next few weeks.

Boardman River: Anglers are targeting smallmouth bass and carp. Try crawlers or corn for carp and live baits for smallmouth bass. Some have caught the occasional walleye or pike.

Elk River: Anglers are targeting smallmouth bass with leeches, crawlers, or gulp plastic baits. Many are on the small side but try early morning fishing for a chance to catch bigger the fish.

Harbor Springs: Those trolling have caught lake trout north of Harbor Point in 160 feet of water and west off the furthest buoy when fishing 120 feet down. Smallmouth bass are still being caught by those using tube baits.

Petoskey: Anglers are catching mostly lake trout when trolling in 100 to 120 feet of water off Bay Harbor or 150 to 160 feet down in 200 to 220 feet of water further east. A few chinook were also caught. The end of the first dock and the breakwall are still producing smallmouth bass, rock bass, and bullhead.

Bear River: Anglers are still catching some steelhead near the dam when using spawn bags or crawlers. Brown trout can also be found near the dam and downriver. Try both natural bait and flies.

Charlevoix: Is producing smallmouth bass and the occasional walleye for those fishing in the channel. Freshwater drum were also caught.

Frankfort: Had great fishing 60 to 80 feet down in 120 to 150 feet of water with meat rigs. Blue was the hot color. If your lines are set at 5:30 am, you will be reeling in fish. Use anything that glows prior to sunrise and UV after sun up. After the morning catch is done, drop a line to the bottom with a flasher and spin glow for lake trout.

Onekama: Those heading straight out to 110 to 150 feet of water caught fish when trolling along the drop. Fish 80 to 90 feet down, good colors were blue and glow. Meat rigs worked best after the sun comes up.

Lake Cadillac: Bluegill and crappie have been caught along the east side. Try fishing the deeper holes and under structure that give some shade. The better fishing seems to be early morning or later in the evening. Try casting small spinners or floating crickets and small minnows.

Manistee: Fishing slowed compared to what it has been. Boat anglers found salmon 45 to 150 feet down in 140 to 300 feet of water. Meat rigs in yellow and green or blue and green spoons caught fish.

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